What is better than camping on a granite dome in Yosemite National Park directly across from the world famous Half Dome? Nothing. That reason alone is enough to make camping on North Dome my Prime Adventure.

Yosemite National Park

I It was Fourth of July weekend 2016. I was road-tripping through California with my best friend. We ditched hotels and had our backpacks packed to camp wherever we could find. Being in Northern California, stopping in Yosemite National Park for a night was a no-brainer. We made it to the park to find it totally slammed, rightfully so with it being a holiday weekend. We knew we couldn't arrive until later in the afternoon so we were a little worried that we wouldn't be able to get a permit to camp for the night.

We were surprised when the ranger said that we could purchase a permit to one of our top choices for backcountry camping - North Dome. The parking area for the trailhead was flushed with cars and everyone was unloading their backpacks and gear to hit the trails. We figured we were in for a day of crowded hiking but we knew that there was a very limited amount of permits given out for the spot that we chose.

As we traversed the trail, what we failed to realize is that we would escape the crowd after all. By the time we reached the end of the trail we quickly discovered that we would be having the entire granite dome to ourselves. And even better-- we would be waking up the next morning to a view of Half Dome from our tent.

Everything from this weekend came together perfectly; from the weather to the people that we met along the way. Taking a gamble and going to the park with no set plans of where we would sleep that night paid off huge with an unbeatable experience.

Camping may not be the most glamorous thing in the world, but it's one of my favorites. Looking at the stars, taking in the sounds, smells, serenity of nature, and the quality time with friends allows you to experience things you can't experience in a hotel room. Doing so in Yosemite National Park is truly an adventure that won't ever be erased from my memory; a true Prime Adventure.